Dick’s Tea Bar has pretty much got the monopoly for late-night partying among the Brits, with Le Graal its only serious rival.

Most of the early partying happens in the famous Folie Douce at the top of La Daille gondola.

Cocorico was new for 2014-15 and is an apres-ski bar on the piste at the Rond Point, almost at the foot of Solaise. It has live music and attracts homeward-bound skiers.

Down in the village, Cafe Face is pretty good and relatively cheap – open from 5pm to 2am. Moris Pub always has live music before dinner and a 4-6pm happy hour. The Pacific Bar has live music and open mic nights. The restaurant/bar, Bananas, which burnt down at the end of 2011 has been rebuilt and is once again a popular place to go. Dick’s Tea-Bar opens at 4.30pm for the pre-dinner session and closes at 5am.

Val’s non-ski activities include watersports at the Centre Aquasportif, which also has a spa, climbing wall and gym. There is ice-driving at the Circuit de Glace where you can learn how to control a spin on an icy mountain road at 40mph.

Unlike so many resorts that claim a giant ski area, the pistes of Val and Tignes are naturally linked without the need for long and boring connecting trails or lifts. On top of that, the Espace Killy's standard of piste grooming is extremely high and the lift system is constantly being upgraded.
Val’s snowsure slopes make it an ideal venue for a number of ski and snowboard events each year. Most important of these is the Critérium de la Première Neige, a Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) competition in mid-December that has been running since 1955 and a joy to watch.

Val d'Isère expert Peter Hardy: "I’ve been skiing in Val d’Isère for more years than I care to admit. For the past 19 I’ve started my season here on the opening day in November, returning for a family Christmas and again later in the season. It has a unique, special atmosphere that attracts like-minded dedicated skiers and riders from all over the world. Out of the 500 resorts around the world to which my work has taken me, this is the one I call home."